A lonely woman of fifty-three vanishes in fog; a fat twenty-two-year-old never returns from an early morning walk . . .
Experienced policemen know that most missing persons either turn up or go missing on purpose. But fresh young D.S. Freya Graffham won’t drop it — until she discovers what links the people who disappear on “The Hill,” young and old, men and women, even a little dog. Susan Hill writes with compassion, humour and a unique understanding of the details of daily life.
The Various Haunts of Men is the first in a series by Susan Hill and plays out like a classic crime-show. While it was nothing like the books I usually read(young adult), it’s a lot like the TV Shows I watch and love. This book was very Criminal Minds. It was creepy and the mystery is mind-boggling.
However, it does not start out that way. The plot develops slowly while Susan Hill spent a lot of time on character development and in detailing out the town of Lafferton , a peaceful English cathedral city. The protagonist is a young policewoman Freya Graffham and the book also chronicles her relationship with DCI Simon Serrailler, providing us with some romance. The town itself is described beautifully and a sub-plot of shady new-age practitioners is thrown in.
The Various Haunts of Men opens and is interspersed with sections of "The Tape," which sound like confessions and thoughts of a deranged person. This part is cryptic and while it provides no real clues to the mystery it adds suspense.
I finished this book in one-sitting. I was on a constant guessing game. I just could not put it down. It was addicting and thrilling and had lost of twists and turns.
Recommended to lovers of crime-drama like Twin Peaks, Criminal Minds, Dexter etc.
Also fans of Sidney Sheldon books.
P.S-
Is anyone else waiting for Dexter Season 6 to premiere?!?
I feel like I can barely wait what with all the spoilers making the rounds and the exculsive trailer being premiered at Comic-Con.
I am going to miss Julia Stiles but we do have Colin Hanks who is guest-starring this season.
Experienced policemen know that most missing persons either turn up or go missing on purpose. But fresh young D.S. Freya Graffham won’t drop it — until she discovers what links the people who disappear on “The Hill,” young and old, men and women, even a little dog. Susan Hill writes with compassion, humour and a unique understanding of the details of daily life.
The Various Haunts of Men is the first in a series by Susan Hill and plays out like a classic crime-show. While it was nothing like the books I usually read(young adult), it’s a lot like the TV Shows I watch and love. This book was very Criminal Minds. It was creepy and the mystery is mind-boggling.
However, it does not start out that way. The plot develops slowly while Susan Hill spent a lot of time on character development and in detailing out the town of Lafferton , a peaceful English cathedral city. The protagonist is a young policewoman Freya Graffham and the book also chronicles her relationship with DCI Simon Serrailler, providing us with some romance. The town itself is described beautifully and a sub-plot of shady new-age practitioners is thrown in.
The Various Haunts of Men opens and is interspersed with sections of "The Tape," which sound like confessions and thoughts of a deranged person. This part is cryptic and while it provides no real clues to the mystery it adds suspense.
I finished this book in one-sitting. I was on a constant guessing game. I just could not put it down. It was addicting and thrilling and had lost of twists and turns.
Recommended to lovers of crime-drama like Twin Peaks, Criminal Minds, Dexter etc.
Also fans of Sidney Sheldon books.
P.S-
Is anyone else waiting for Dexter Season 6 to premiere?!?
I feel like I can barely wait what with all the spoilers making the rounds and the exculsive trailer being premiered at Comic-Con.
I am going to miss Julia Stiles but we do have Colin Hanks who is guest-starring this season.
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| That should have been ME!!!! |
Posts
I read this book about 6/7 months ago and I loved it ^-^ The only fault with it is that someone died who I didn't want to at all ;(
ReplyDeleteLove your blog xx
Hi Thanks for the invite to follow your blog and thank you for checking out my blog. I am looking forward to the new season of Dexter
ReplyDeleteThank You Too!!
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I read one of Susan's books just before I started blogging last year. I think it was called The Small Hand. I enjoyed it and I think I might enjoy this one too. I'll have to look out for it.
ReplyDeleteYou should! It was really good! :)
ReplyDeleteI've actually never heard of this book before, but the premise sounds intriguing, and the fact that you described it as a "classic crime show" only adds to its appeal. And yay mysteries. I think suspense is definitely underused in literature these days and I'm excited at the thought of a fully out mystery. Definitely will be checking this out. Thank you for the review!
ReplyDeleteCool. I've never heard of this book before. It sounds awesome! Character development is seriously my number 1 thing in a book so fabulous! P.S. I am also SERIOUSLY looking forward to Dexter. Totally LOVE IT!!!
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